FC Cincinnati and Head Coach Pat Noonan have agreed on a long-term contract extension, the club announced today. Noonan’s 63.4% win rate in regular season play is the second-best in a manager’s first two full seasons as a head coach in Major League Soccer history.
“We’re delighted to be able to keep Pat and his family here with us at FC Cincinnati,” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. “His talent, leadership, and steady nature have led to incredible results on the field and ultimately, our first trophy in MLS. In a very short time, Pat has become one of the best coaches in our league, and I look forward to many more successful years together.”
“Since Pat came on board two years ago, he has taken this club to new heights,” said Carl H. Lindner III, controlling owner and Co-CEO of FC Cincinnati. “He has led our team with confidence, guiding the club to the 2023 Supporters’ Shield. We are pleased to extend his contract as head coach of FC Cincinnati and we look forward to our future with Pat at the helm.”
In just two seasons with the club, Noonan and his staff have led an on-field turnaround for FC Cincinnati. Since taking over ahead of the 2022 season, Noonan has guided the Orange and Blue to club-record totals in wins and points and coached the club to their first Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berth last year.
This season, Noonan’s club soared to new heights, capturing the club’s first trophy since joining MLS – the 2023 Supporters’ Shield – for the league’s most regular-season points and best record in 2023. With one game remaining in the regular season, Noonan’s FC Cincinnati have accumulated the sixth-most single-season points in the league’s post-shootout history (since 2000).
“I’d like to thank Chris, Jeff, Carl and the club’s ownership group for their continued faith in me,” said Noonan. “This city has welcomed me and my family with open arms, and I’m proud to serve as head coach of this club. I look forward to our continued success together.”
FC Cincinnati’s 20 wins this year under Noonan came with milestones both at home and on the road. At home, Cincinnati are just the 13th club in league history, including the shootout era, to win 13 games at home – with an opportunity to become only the third to reach 14 on Decision Day (Oct. 21 vs Atlanta United FC – 6 p.m. ET| MLS Season Pass on Apple TV | Fox Sports 1360).
On the road, with the Orange and Blue’s 7-3-7 record, FCC became just the third team since 2012 (excluding 2020) –– and the 21st in MLS history — to lose three or fewer road games in a single season.
Across all competitions, Noonan has earned a 39-16-25 record with FC Cincinnati, which includes guiding the team to the semifinals of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup and winning their group in Leagues Cup 2023.
Noonan’s regular-season win percentage in his first two years as a head coach in MLS – 63.4% (32-14-21) – is the second-best in league history only behind Tata Martino’s 64.7% mark in 2017-18 with Atlanta United. Noonan’s 32 wins in his first two seasons as a head coach in the league are tied for the third-most in the MLS post-shootout era behind Martino (36) and Steve Cherundolo (35).
Pat Noonan’s on-field guidance has helped bring league-wide acclaim to FC Cincinnati players. The emergence of Luciano Acosta, MLS All-Star in 2022, All-Star captain in 2023 and MLS Best XI in 2022, has FCC’s captain the leading candidate for the 2023 Landon Donovan MLS MVP award with an MLS-best 29 goal contributions.
Under Noonan, Cincinnati have developed a signature playing style which has seen the rise of young Argentine Álvaro Barreal as a wing back, and his recognition as a 2023 MLS All-Star, one of FC Cincinnati’s MLS-high three All-Star selections this year (Acosta and Matt Miazga).
The club’s potent offense has seen the Orange and Blue score 119 goals in league play under Noonan, tied with LAFC for the second-most over the past two regular seasons (Philadelphia Union, 128). This season, FCC’s defense has been among the league’s best, allowing the fourth-fewest goals (37) and posting the third-most clean sheets (12) in league play.
FC Cincinnati's final regular season match comes on Saturday, October 21 when the Orange and Blue face Atlanta United FC for Fan Appreciation at TQL Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will stream, for free with no subscription required, on Apple TV. The game will also air on the radio on Fox Sports 1360.
For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s new official mobile app on iOS or Android for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications/
